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Introduction
Dragon Palace Restaurant commenced its business in Joo Chiat Road since 2005, selling frog porridge as their sole signature dish. Subsequently, they evolved into a restaurant selling a variety of homely dishes as well as a buffet caterer.
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Opening Hours
Mon - Sun
17:00 - 02:00
Above information is for reference only. Please check details with the restaurant.
Signature Dishes
Joo Chiat. Long known as an area of vice, with raging KTV pubs and bars, and people from all walks of life, congregating in a street that’s probably no larger than three streets. Imagine the surprise I had when I was told of a hidden gem hidden within this grime. And believe me when I say, it was certainly an eye-opening culinary adventure!The Dragon Palace Restaurant, neatly tucked within small niches and situated across a brightly-lit pub, is certainly not invisible. With a new renovation that has added an additional air-conditioned dining room, I would say it comfortably sit several families. Note, service is basically “Sit Yourself, Grab a Menu, and Get Ready to Bark Your Orders When I Come Back”, but you know what, I appreciate that brute efficiency. These waitresses definitely appeared jaded as they probably deal with alcohol-stricken patrons on a daily basis.In my first visit to Dragon Palace, the waitress (it was around 9 pm, considered early for this establishment) recommended the Sizzling Hot Plate Tofu, the 2-for-$20 special crabs (I ordered a chili and a black pepper), and Coffee Ribs. The hotplate tofu was absolutely delicious, with the tofu yielding to a firm bite, and the eggs were a great complement to the saltiness of the pork sauce on it. Though at the end of the dish, my girlfriend and I continued to smear that flavorful gravy all over our rice, and it was definitely a winner in my book! It was definitely freshly made, and I bravely withstood the splattering oil to grab another bite.Now, for $20, you probably wouldn’t expect a lot out of the crabs, right? Well, it certainly exceeded my expectations. The chili crab was very generous with its spicy gravy, and be sure to grab some Dragon Palace mon-tou (deep-fried buns). The mon-tou is a perfect partner to the gravy, as it had a crispy exterior and a soft interior, which capably soaked up every pass in the gravy. The black pepper crab was also very well-seasoned, forcing a sneeze out of me when I inhaled the shell of the claw! If it weren’t for my approaching fullness, I would’ve definitely ordered me another pair of crustaceans. Be sure to try them both when you get a chance, but rumors have it that the salted eggs are also delicious. Please comment and follow up!In my second visit to the Dragon Palace, I had another special: the curry-fish head. It came in a silver pot, with a little flame underneath it, so I would definitely give it a 10 for presentation. For the taste, I would give it an 11! With a curry built from pineapples, fresh spices, tofu skin, and vegetables; every bite was a study in texture and opposing flavors. The fish was sizable for a family of six (though I only brought three), and we drank every drop of that heavenly concoction. Now, I’ve been to many places, but this certainly ranks as one of the best curry fish-head I’ve ever had.We also had the Coffee Ribs, which was one of the best I ever had! So there you go, Joo Chiat. Though its night-life may be well-renowned, it certainly reflects its food hidden within. With every bite, I started to appreciate the scene unfolding around me into the wee hours. My summary? From all walks of life and ethnicity, Joo Chiat certainly has something for everybody; and even if loudness is something you don’t appreciate, perhaps it’s not so bad to go a little wild sometimes, right? Although the ambiance is not very family-friendly, the dishes serve here do not lose out to popular seafood restaurants like Long Beach in East Coast or Ang Mo Kio crabs. Plus there is no queue during special occasions, something which popular eating establishments are infamous for!
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